A screen shows the long-distance trains that have departed from Sants station. It tracks their route in real time and any incidents that may arise, but they also appear when they have not yet departed, to see if they still need to be cleaned or if the catering has not yet been loaded. Renfe has launched a new operations management center in Barcelona to monitor all high-speed trains circulating in Catalonia, the AVE and Avlo, but also the Euromed, Alvia, Intercity and Avant.
The railway operator has invested more than one million euros in the facilities, with which it has gained space compared to what it had until now in the same station. It has not only grown in surface area but has also incorporated more technology, with a videowall almost ten meters long made up of 14 screens.
The outlay will be accompanied by an increase in workers dedicated to controlling the operation of long-distance trains originating or destined for Barcelona, which will allow to increase coordination between teams and guarantee better passenger service. When an incident occurs, the operations management centers are responsible for contracting alternative means of transport, such as buses and taxis, as well as providing support on board trains, providing food and, if necessary, hotel stays.
It is a model that Renfe also operates with Rodalies de Catalunya. It has operations management centers in França and El Clot stations, from which it manages the circulation of Rodalies and regional trains.